Heat distributing unit



p 16, 3941- L. L. ZELLER ETAL 2,256,006

HEAT DISTRIBUTING UNIT Filed Dec. 1, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 15575 L. ZELLE/E f F035 E. ZELLE/E INVENTORS.

A TTORNEY Sept. 16, 1941. L.. L. ZELLER ET AL HEAT DISTRIBUTING UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 1, 1938 ,fm w N N MW Sept. 16, 1941. ZE| R ET HEAT DISTRIBUTING. UNIT Filed Dec 1, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 )PUBEA/ 6 Z54 L 8 'INVENTORS A TTORNEY l l I I l I HIV ZEJTEE A. ZELLE/P 2 r \s Patented Sept. 16, 1941 Lester L.

Zeller, New Madison, and Ruben E.

Zeller, Versailles, Ohio Application December 1, 1938, Serial No. 243,342

1 Claim.

Our heat distributing unit is primarily intended to be used in connection with incubating cabinets and the like where it is necessary that extremely even temperatures be maintained.

We are aware that other means of heating, such as electric heating units, and the circulation of hot water in the conventional manner, have been used for the above-mentioned purpose, but the efl'iciency of the same have either been unsatisfactory, or the cost of heating therewith has been exorbitant.

It is, therefore, our principal object to provide a heat circulating unit which is compact, which is low in the cost of manufacture and maintenance, and which is adaptable for usewith all of the different types of incubating cabinets.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a heat circulating unit which has the .heating apparatus thereof heavily insulated and with means being provided therein for obstructing the flow of air therethrough when the circulating means thereof is idle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a means positioned in the water circulating system thereof which automatically obstructs the flow of the water therethrough except when the circulating means is in operation. A further object of the invention is the provision of a means for directing the flow of heated air from the unit in any desired direction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will suggest themselves in the course of the following description, and that which is new will be defined and pointed 'out in the appended claim.

It is to be understood that the heat circulating unit, as shown and described, is a portable selfcontained unit which is adapted to be connected to a hot water boiler, and which utilizes the heat from the water thereof.

It is also to be understood that the several members of the unit are old in other connections, but, when assembled in the unit, produce new and efficient results by providing an efficient means of distributing heat, and with the heat distributing portions being insulated against the undue escape of heat, resulting in an eificient unit with positive and automatic means for producing or obstructing the flow of air therefrom.

The most practical and satisfactory manner of carrying out the principles of the invention in a highly eificient and satisfactory manner is shown in the accompanying three sheets of drawings, in which;

Figure l is a front elevational View of the unit taken online 88 of Figure "l.

cabinetwith the directional vanes thereof being. shown in closed position.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view similar to Figure 1,but with the cover thereof being removed, and-with the directional vanes being shown partially open and adjusted to a. different position from that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear end elevation of the unit cabinet showing the automatic swingable louvres which permit air to be drawn into the cabinet,

and with the water conduits also being shown.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the unit taken from line 4-54 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail vertical section through the rear end of the unit case taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4 and showing the rear set of automatic swingable louvres in detail.

Figure 6 is a detail right side elevation of the case, taken from line 6-6 of Figure 1, and showing the conduits extending therefrom.

Figure 7 is adetail sectional view, taken on line l-l of Figure 4, showing a front elevation of the forwardly positioned automatic swingable louvres. y g

Figure 8 is a detail section through the case Figure 9 is a detail vertical sectionthrough the forward end portion of the case taken on line 9-9 of Figure 1, and showing the directional vanes in partial open position.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal section through the case taken on line l0.l0 of Figure 2, and showing the relationship of the various members within the case.

Like parts are designated by like characters throughout the several views.

Referring nowto the drawings in detail, I designates the case member which is comprised of the bottom member, two side members, and two end members. An aperture is formed through one of the side members for the reception of the electric wires 26. The rear end member has two apertures formed therethrough providing for the reception of the inlet conduit 33 and the outlet conduit 2|. A third and comparatively larger aperture is also formed through the rear end member to provide for the passage of air into the case. The forward end member of the case has an aperture formed therethrough, and into Which the frame -3, of the directional vanes 5, is inserted. v

.2 designates the cover member with the downwardly extending flanges 2' being formed therearound, and. which extend downwardly around Qpelleipump'-'28,iand is' secured at 'each end A projecting knob 4is rigidly secured to the frame 3 and provides for manual manipulationof the frame in a circular motion. i V 7 Each end of each of the vane members 5 has an ear portion 5 formed thereon, with the ear portions being turned at substantially right angles to the vane members. The ear portions 5 are pivotally secured through the-circular frame member 3 by means of the rivets 8,or by other suitable means. Each of the vanes 5 has a knob member 6 secured thereto which provides for manual adjustment of each individual vane.

A1box- 9 formingla tunnel is secured to the rear face of the front 'end of the caseby means ofthe flanges 9,, with the tunnel .extendingrearwardly from the front end of the case. ture' I is formed through the rear 'end of the tunnel, providing for thepassage of air therethrough. Swingable louvres |l= are pivotally mounted in the tunnel adjacent the rearend thereof-andgare secured therein by meansof'the rods I2, the ends of which extend through the sidemembers of thetunnel, 9; The swingable louvres ll normally hangdownwardly fromtheir respective rods l2; but assume the positions as I shown by the broken'lines in Figure 9 when air is forced thereagainst by means of the fan. A radiator, comprised of the upper and lower pans l3 and l4'respective1y, the fins-H3. and the tubes I6, is positioned directly rearwardly of the' tunnel 9. The radiator may -be of th conven- An apertional type, 1 ith the tubes l6 providing for the circulation of water therethrough. I I

A wall member [1, having an aperture formed by the flange l1, extends entirely across the case 1.

and formsa compartment around the'tunnel and the radiator. The sp ce 'in'the compartment is filled with the insulatingmaterial 4| which prevents heat from escaping from theradiator and the tunnel except through the tunnel in the manner intended. I I V 'Aninlet tube 18 and an outlet; tube 19 extend rearwardly from the upper pan [3 of the radiator, V

tively aresecured by means of clamp members '22. 7 An 'electricmotor 23 is provided withinthe and to which-the inlet conduits 25 and 2| respec- 1 case, andis sup qr edby means of the bracket members '24. A fanmember "25 is secured on the forward end of the 'motor shaft,- with the fan being positioned adjacent the rear face of the radiator,- --and being partially enclosedby the fiang'e member l1. Electric current-is conducted to the motor 23 through the wires '26. "A pulley 21 is secured on the rear end of the'motorshaft to providepower to the impeller pump 28 through i the pulley 23 by means of thebelt 30. The im- "peller purh'p 28'is supported from the motor 23 by means of thebracket members 3! and the cap screws 32.

One end of the conduit'20 is se'cured-to the outlet tube of the impeller pump 28 by means of a clamp member'22. A conduit 33 leads frornlthe hot Water pipez34-to the inlet tube-6f 'thiiim t ereef by means 'of aenm member '22. i 7

The outwardly extending end of the outlet conduit 2| is secured to a short length of pipe 38 by means of a clamp member 22, with the 0pposite end of the pipe being threaded into one end of the check ,valve 39, and with the check' valve being connected to the return line of the hot water boiler by means of the pipe 40. The check valve 39 prevents back pressure from forcing water into the'radiator through the conduit 2|. v V s A frame 31 is secured to the forward face of the rear endmember of the case by means of the flanges 31. 35 are positioned within the frame 34 by means of the rod members 36, as shown in Figure 5. The swingable louvres 35 normally hang downwardly from their respective rods 35, and assume the positionsasshown by the broken lines only when the fan 25 is running and causing'air to be pulled through the aperture which is normally covered by the swin'gable louvres 35. H

v In actual usepthe wires 26 'are connected in series with a thermostatic switch which is closed and opened by th variation in the temperature of the" air surrounding the same. heat "distributing-unit is used in connection with an incubatin'g cabinet; the thermostatic switch is locatedwithin the incubating cabinet. The

, pipe 34 is connected directly to ahot water boiler, and thepipe w'is'connected into the return line to the boiler. Also, the entire unit, including the case i and the cover member} maybe insulated toprevent an undue escape of heat therefrom; I

through the outlet conduit 2], and through the check valve 39 and the pipe 40, andinto the return line. 1 r I i When'the fan 25 is operated by the motor 23, the same draws air into the'case through the aperture formed in the rear'end of the case.

The incoming air causes the swingable louvres 35 to swing to the open position as shown by the broken lines in Figure 5. The fan25 forces air through the radiator and the force of the air causes the 'swingabie louvres II, to open, as shown by "the broken lines in Figure 9, and with "the air being directed as desired by means of the directional vanes 5.. .The volume of air passing through the case andthe radiator is determined bythe'setting of the "vanes 5.

' When the thermostatic switch opens, the same allows the motorto stoprot'ating. As the motor stops, the fan and the impeller pump likewise stop. As the fan stops, the air ceases to flow' through the case, and the swingable louvres II and 35 are 'closedby gravity/thereby sealing the ends of the case and preventing heat from escaping therefrom.

V As the impelle rgpumpistops; the check valve 39 closes against any back pressure which might develop.

It will be e duy' appreciated from-thefore-i going that, when themotor is stopped, the air is p l automatically kept from passing through the case and the radiator by reason of the swing'able louvres being automatically closed by the cessation in the flow ,ofair... It will alsobe seen that,-

Automatic swingable louvres When the V as soon as the impeller pump ceases to force water through the radiator and the conduit 2|, th check valve prevents a flow of water through the radiator.

With the above-described arrangement, it is possible to maintain temperatures to within a fraction of a degree within an incubating cabinet. Also, the time required for the heatingup process (when the incubator is first started) is only a fraction of the length of time required by the use of electric heating units, or by the conventional hot water systems, thereby creating a saving in time and expense.

It is also anticipated that the unit may be operated in connection with a steam plant. In this event, the check valve and the impeller pump may be dispensed with. A solenoid-operated valve (operated by means of a thermostatic switch) may be inserted in the conduit 33, and the outlet pipe I9 rearranged and placed at the lowermost portion of the lower pan M to provide drainage of condensation from the radiator,

We desire that it be understood that we are not to be limited to the use of the invention in connection with incubating cabinets only, but the same may be used with equal efficiency and low cost in large rooms and the like.

We also desire that it be understood that minor changes may be made in the several parts and in the details herein shown and described, insofar as the changes may fall Within the scope of the appended claim.

Having now fully shown and described the invention, What we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

A heat circulating unit comprising in combination, a case with a motor mounted therein, an impeller pump operated by said motor with a circulating fan being secured on one end of the motor shaft, a conduit carrying heated water to the intake opening of the impeller pump, a radiator positioned within the case and connected to the outlet opening of the impeller pump by means of a second conduit, a third conduit carrying water from the radiator to a return line, a check valve connected with the third conduit preventing the flow of water in a reverse direction therethrough with the check valve forming a means whereby the radiator is maintained in filled condition.

LESTER L. ZELLER. RUBEN E. ZELLER. 

